Prendergast Sets Sights On Goodwood

Kevin Prendergast is preparing a strong raiding party as Glorious Goodwood looms large, with Decado likely to represent the yard in the BGC Sussex Stakes.

The Danehill Dancer colt was among the nine left in Wednesday's Group One feature after delighting connections in regaining the winning thread at the Curragh last time.

Prendergast said: 'He may run in the Sussex. I had a discussion with the owners and they are anxious for him to run. He won well at the Curragh last time.

'We'll probably give it a lash and just see how it goes. He doesn't want it firm but it won't be that, so it should be good to yielding ground.'

While Decado scored over nine furlongs most recently, Prendergast believes he prefers to race over a mile.

'He won well over a mile and a furlong last time but I'm not sure he wants more than a mile really. It was only a four-runner race and they went quite steadily,' he added.

'He was third in a Group One last year ? the Irish 2000 Guineas ? and he was only a length behind George Washington then.'

Before Decado gets the chance to flex his muscles, stablemates Haatef and Mores Wells are likely to have been in action on the Tuesday.

While the latter could take on Marcus Tregoning's Aqaleem in the Gordon Stakes, the first-named Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt is on course for a Group Two prize.

'Haatef is going to run in the Betfair Cup, all being well,' Prendergast confirmed.

'He did it well last time and he's won his last two now, so he's done fine. We're just jumping on one river at a time with him and we'll see how we go.'

Prendergast feels Haatef is beginning to fulfil his potential and hopes he can continue to progress.

'He's learning now as he'd had very little racing when he ran in the 2000 Guineas and he ran a good race there,' he said.

'He was only beaten around six lengths so hopefully he'll be able to put up another good show at Goodwood.'

Of Mores Wells, last seen finishing fifth behind runaway Classic hero Soldier Of Fortune, Prendergast added: 'He's likely to run in the Gordon Stakes.

'He ran in the (Irish) Derby last time and he travelled very well, but just didn't find an awful lot when push came to shove.

'But he was only a few lengths off the placed horses so it was a very good run and possibly the really heavy ground just got to him.

'He finished alongside Mark Johnston's horse (Boscobel), who was a very good horse going into the race, and there was only a neck or so between them.

'He came out of the race really well and he's had plenty of time to recover since.'

(C) PA Sport